Join B.E.A.C.O.N.!

B.E.A.C.O.N (Building Educator AI Collaboration and Ongoing Networking) is a group of educators who want to gather and discuss AI in education.

Participants will help determine what we discuss during B.E.A.C.O.N. We meet once a month via Zoom. 

If you are interested in participating in this monthly discussion please see the flyer below, and join our Google Classroom with this link to find the link to our first Zoom meeting (November 6th, at 4:30 PM) as well as other resources that our team has gathered over the past year.

SEDC Joins News Literacy Initiative

SEDC has joined the News Literacy Project’s prestigious District Fellowship Program. This is a fantastic step forward for education in southwest Utah.  The goal is clear: ensure all students learn to think critically and engage responsibly with news and information.

This three-year fellowship supports the implementation of news literacy education districtwide, providing SEDC with a significant $60,000 grant and customized support. As a participant, SEDC will also become part of a new Utah network  fellowship alumnus Canyons School District. This network will serve as a powerful regional hub, allowing multiple Utah districts to collaborate, share best practices, and create resources that support sustained news literacy instruction across the entire state. With this fellowship, SEDC is directly addressing the urgent need to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly complicated information landscape.

Learn more about this exciting new opportunity in the press release below. You can download the press release PDF here. 

Give Your Child a Strong Start in School with Waterford Upstart

Southwest Educational Development Center has partnered with Waterford Upstart to provide our PreK children with an on-demand early learning program that gives you tools, coaching, and resources so you can prepare your child for a bright future.

Program Benefits:

• Tailored software with fun and engaging lessons in reading, math, and science that are done in just fifteen minutes a day
• Personalized family coaching and easy-to-use resources that support the work you’re already doing with your child
• A computer and internet access for those who qualify

Who Can Participate: Children entering kindergarten in Fall 2026 How to Apply: Visit www.waterford.org/upstart or call 1-888-982-9898

Want to Learn More? Open/view their flyer here, in both English and en Español. 

SEDC Educational Technology Endorsement Courses and Anytime EdTech Learning – Fall ’25

Join the SEDC Educational Technology Endorsement Program Self-Paced Courses & Cohort anytime!

Learn more about and enroll in AI and Student Learning or the new AI and the Writing Process self-paced courses from UEN PD.

We also recommend the new Navigating the Noise: Media Literacy for Educators course to help you and your students be more media savvy. 

Southern Utah Media Specialist Conference

What a truly magical event! The Southern Utah Media Specialist (SUMS) Conference, hosted by SEDC, recently brought together dedicated educators from across our six southwest Utah school districts and charter schools.

Want to be part of it next year?

Click here to register as vendor/partner.

Contact Chris Haught (chris@sedck12.org) with questions.

Scrible for Research

Discover how Scrible empowers students to conduct effective online research and streamline the writing process. Learn how to leverage Scrible’s annotation, citation, and organization tools to foster critical thinking and academic integrity. Learn practical strategies for integrating Scrible into various subject areas and grade levels, helping students develop essential research and writing skills for success. Scrible is provided at no charge as part of Utah’s Online School Library.

SEDC is hosting two  trainings with Scrible on August 26th, 2025 over Zoom. Please register below, both trainings will be an introduction to Scrible, new features, and a Q and A.

Please click on this link for details and to register.

Watch the video below or visit Scrible for more!

Contact Chris Haught (chris@sedck12.org)

Let’s Talk Movies and the Classroom!

So, you’re a teacher and you’re wondering about showing movies in class? It’s a great way to spark interest and bring lessons to life, but it’s important to do it the right way. Or maybe you just want something for indoor recess or as a class reward?

Here’s the scoop on copyright and streaming movies:

• Copyright protects creative works. That means movies, TV shows, music, and more are owned by someone.
• Most streaming services don’t allow public showings. This includes classrooms, even if it’s just for a short clip. 

But don’t worry! There are several ways to access movies legally:

• SWANK: If your district has purchased SWANK, follow the instructions here.
• eMedia: Did you know that there are thousands of educational movies available? Watch this video to learn more!
• PBS: Find documentaries on a variety of content areas, check out the Science offerings here!

What if the movie is not in SWANK or eMedia?

• Fair Use: This is a tricky one, but it basically means you can use small portions of a copyrighted work for educational purposes. Click here for details on Fair Use.
• Keep it short and sweet. Show only the parts that are directly related to your lesson.
• Focus on learning. Make sure the movie clip is a tool to help students understand, not just entertainment.
• Ask your school’s media specialist. They can give you specific advice on what’s allowed.

Where can I find materials to use with movies to increase engagement?

Teach with Movies: This site has movie summaries and lesson plans

What if I just want something to show for indoor recess?

• eMedia is a great resource! 
• Storyline Online – Watch famous actors read aloud books!

Remember:

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. By following these guidelines, you can use movies in your classroom without any legal trouble. 

Have fun and happy teaching!

Portable Planetarium & Mobile Classroom

We hit the jackpot with a grant from the Utah STEM Action Center for a top-notch Digitalis Digitarium portable planetarium system! Brace yourselves for a mind-blowing journey through Earth, the Moon, our Solar System, and beyond – we’re talking zooming through the Milky Way Galaxy and into uncharted territories! This isn’t just a planetarium, it’s a whole classroom on wheels – get ready for out-of-this-world 360º virtual tours, full-dome videos, and endless adventures. Buckle up for an educational joyride to Infinity and Beyond! Learn more here.

Schools can reserve the the planetarium by contacting Clint. The planetarium will be delivered, picked up and facilitated by SEDC staff and/or trained personnel from districts. Use for classroom instruction, before and after school clubs and camps, computing, and STEM activities, Back to School Nights, school event kickoffs, end-of-year activities, fundraisers, community events, and much more!

Explore the built-in Lesson Plans and Videos, including Utah SEEd Standards alignments here.